Theater Hagen has named Hermes Helfricht its new General Music Director.

The announcement was made after a meeting on June 27, 2024 at the Hagen City Council. He will begin on August 1, 2025 and will succeed Joseph Trafton, who is leaving the theater at his own request at the end of the next 2024/25 season.

In a statement, Dr. Thomas Brauers, the theater’s managing director, said, “I am delighted that this self-confident young, 32-year-old artist has chosen our theater. We will again have great artistic direction at the Hagen Theater from the 2025-26 season.”

Helfricht is currently employed at the Bonn Opera and will serve at Hagen for an initial five years until the end of the 2029-30 season.